Hanoi, July 27 (Prensa Latina) Even without reporting cases so far, experts say Vietnam needs to activate an intersectoral coordination mechanism to improve preparedness for the monkeypox response and prevent its spread.
The country needs to adjust and strengthen the surveillance system and laboratory diagnostics capacities, in addition to raising public awareness about the transmission of this disease, said the interim chief representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Hanoi, Socorro Escalante.
The specialist suggested updating and actively sharing information about the alarming disease with the public, as well as taking measures regarding international travel of certain groups or the population in general, according to the specific situation.
Escalante, the VNA news agency reported, reiterated WHO’s support to Vietnam for surveillance and laboratory testing, temporary rapid response, clinical management and infection control.
If the recommended measures are implemented with existing instruments and smooth coordination of the parties at this stage, the monkeypox epidemic in Vietnam can be fully controlled, thus limiting the disruption to socio-economic activities, he said.
The WHO representative recalled that on July 23, the company declared the current outbreak of monkeypox a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern”.
He said the organization is not currently recommending mass vaccination of the population against the disease, but recommends supplying these drugs to specific groups of people.
Prescriptions for immunization should be based on clinical characteristics, assessment of risks and benefits, capacity of healthcare facilities, type of vaccine and the condition of each patient, he explained.
Latin Press